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Hello, I'm Ryutaro Natsume, an image designer and cosmetic surgeon.

 

The secret to looking youthful and beautiful lies in a smooth, even contour without any unevenness.

Therefore, for hollows under the eyes, nasolabial folds, sunken cheeks or temples, and a flat forehead, we perform treatments such as hyaluronic acid injections or fat grafting.

This time, we'll explain the advantages and disadvantages of hyaluronic acid injections and fat injections.

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◯Hyaluronic Acid Injection

Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally present in the body.

Depending on the application, hyaluronic acid molecules are cross-linked to enhance elasticity and longevity.

 

【Benefits】
・Immediate results, convenience, and minimal downtime:

Even working adults with no downtime can easily take advantage of this.

・Fine-tuning is possible, and changes can be undone:

Start by adding a small amount, then adjust to taste by adding a little more or making minor tweaks.

It can produce both natural and dramatic changes, and the fact that it can be reversed with hyaluronidase provides reassurance for patients considering the procedure.

【Disadvantages】
・Return to original stateIt is gradually absorbed over approximately 1 to 2 years, so periodic re-injection is necessary.
・Cost：Especially when the number of injections is high, repeated maintenance can lead to increased costs.
・AllergiesSome individuals may rarely experience cross-linking agent allergies.

The risk of allergic reactions is said to increase with the proportion of BDDE cross-linking agent, so we primarily use formulations with low BDDE content such as NEAUVIA, Restylane, and Teosyal (NEAUVIA is BDDE-free).

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◯Fat Injection

Fat is primarily harvested from the thighs, impurities are removed, and then it is injected.

 

【Benefits】

・Permanent sustainabilityThe fat survival rate varies slightly depending on factors such as age and the injection site, but it is approximately 30-35% of the injected volume. Once the fat is established, the results are permanent.

・Skin texture improvement:It has long been said that fat grafting improves skin texture. In recent years, the reasons behind this have been elucidated.

The transplanted fat contains adipose-derived stem cells, which repair tissues damaged by aging. This is why rejuvenation occurs around the injection site.

・Cost considerationsWhile a single treatment is expensive, as mentioned above, once it takes hold, it provides lasting results. This makes it more cost-effective than repeatedly getting hyaluronic acid injections.

・Less likely to cause allergiesSince it's made from your own tissue, there's less risk of allergic reactions. It's recommended for those with hyaluronic acid allergies. There's also NEAUVIA, a hyaluronic acid product with zero reported allergies—you might want to try that first.

 

【Disadvantages】

・There are areas unsuitable for fat grafting.It is not suitable for hard areas such as the nose.

・There is downtime

Approximately 1 week: Swelling, bruising, pain

Approximately 2 weeks: Swelling
2 weeks to 3 months: The donor site (thigh) becomes tight and hard, with a lumpy texture. It's important to massage the area during baths or showers to loosen it. Improvement occurs over 6 months.

※There will be a small incision of a few millimeters where the catheter is inserted into the groin area. Some redness may persist for up to three months, but it will become barely noticeable after six months.

・Not good at fine-tuning

Since it's difficult to predict the exact amount that will be absorbed, hyaluronic acid injections are better suited for requests like wanting to add just a little more.

Some people opt for fat grafting to broadly shape their facial contours while using hyaluronic acid to maintain areas of concern.

・Irreversible

Unlike hyaluronic acid, it cannot be dissolved.

First, we recommend trying hyaluronic acid injections to see if you like the results. If you do, we suggest considering fat injections once the hyaluronic acid begins to dissolve.

 

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Summary

Hyaluronic acid injections are recommended for:
・I want something easy to use with no downtime
・I might want to revert it

・I want to make minor adjustments

 

Fat transfer is recommended for:
・Seeking sustained effects
・Seeking rejuvenating effects as well
・Downtime is acceptable

 

This time, we explained the advantages and disadvantages of hyaluronic acid injections and fat injections.

First, we recommend trying hyaluronic acid injections to see if you like the results. If you do, we suggest considering fat injections once the hyaluronic acid begins to dissolve.

 

Feel free to contact us anytime.

 

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Reservations can be made here.

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https://reservation.medical-force.com/b/d7bb811e-ebd5-4b93-93f8-588864b24f15

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※There are various approaches to aesthetic medicine, and opinions and practices may differ among physicians. Please consider the information provided here as one reference only, and we hope you will choose medical care that suits you and meets your expectations.

We apologize if any unintended inaccuracies or misleading expressions were included. In such cases, we will make appropriate corrections or additions.

 

【Profile】

Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ryutaro Natsume

https://biancaclinic.jp/doctor/natsume/

Performed numerous facial surgeries, particularly focusing on the eye area and facial bones, in the field of plastic surgery.

Regarding treatments for the eye area, I believe that not only aesthetic appearance but also ophthalmic functionality is extremely important. To provide safer and more reliable treatments, I am currently deepening my expertise as an ophthalmologist.

We actively incorporate non-surgical procedures such as hyaluronic acid injections, in addition to treatments requiring surgical instruments.

From a multifaceted professional perspective encompassing cosmetic surgery, cosmetic dermatology, reconstructive surgery, and ophthalmology

BIANCA CLINIC, a leading Japanese clinic specializing in beauty and regenerative medicine, provides the latest aesthetic treatments.

【Career】

2020: Graduated from Tokyo Medical University Tokyo Metropolitan Saiseikai Central Hospital

2022 Jikei University Hospital Department of Plastic Surgery

2023 Department of Plastic Surgery Jikei University School of Medicine Kashiwa Hospital

2024 BIANCA CLINIC

【Professional Affiliations/Qualifications】

Japanese Society of Aesthetic Surgery (JSAS)

Full Member of the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Full Member of the Japanese Society of Craniofacial Surgery

Full Member of the Japanese Ophthalmological Society

Full Member of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Medicine

【SNS】

Instagram account　

 https://www.instagram.com/dr.natsume?igsh=OHBvd3VtajV1bmY1&utm_source=qr